I think the "do both" is the best advice here.

However I don't have a wife, or own a kitchen. Therefore, I think if I could afford that and it was 1 hr away, I'd be cruising over to see it right now. So I'm the wrong guy to ask.

FWIW the girlfriend says, re: my 126 300SD, that she can't imagine me driving anything else. I intend to remind her of that statement should my SD meet a similar demise to yours.

I'm sure you'll make the right choice...